Cochem Medieval Dinner

Cochem Medieval Dinner

The original Cochem Castle, perched prominently on a hill 300 feet above the Moselle River, served to collect tolls from passing ships. Modern research dates its origins to around 1100. (An alleged 1051 document mentioning the castle turned out to be a 13th century forgery.)Before its destruction by the French in 1689 (a fate shared by many other castles and towns in the Palatinate), the castle had a long and fascinating history. It changed hands numerous times and, like most castles, also changed its form over the centuries. It was even in hock twice to pay off royal debts!

The castle we see today towering above the scenic town of Cochem is not the castle that originally stood there in the 12th century. That castle had a long and colorful history until French King Louis XIV had his troops obliterate it in 1689.The castle remained a colorful stone ruin for 180 years until wealthy Berlin businessman Louis Ravené decided to buy the ruins and rebuild the castle in 1868. But he was not interested in restoring it to its original Romanesque style and condition. He had his architects create a neo-Gothic castle that could serve as a summer residence for his family.

Every year on the fist weekend of August, there is a medieval festival with many actors who enable visitors to relive history. There are show fights and jesters and many people in costumes.Every second and third weekend of Advent the castle invites to a medieval Christmas market.

Below you can check out the tours which we offer by clicking on the + symbol.

Our renaissance experience begins in the picturesque Cochem village, where you will have some free time to walk around. A short (steep) hike to the castle will be rewarded with an amazing view overlooking the Mosel River. After a guided tour of the castle, we gather within the fortress walls and our medieval feast begins. You will be treated to a meal fit for royalty! Bread, soup, and a turkey drumstick large enough to make King Henry’s mouth water! Your meal also includes a drink, cheese, nuts, and grapes. Don’t forget to keep your wine cup as a souvenir. During dinner, we will be entertained with music, stories, and games from medieval times and some of you may even be crowned King and Queen! This event is not recommended for younger children.

18 April 2020: Enjoy the flower market. This is a traditional market where the region celebrates the blooming of the vineyard peach. Learn about the agriculture and grooming of these plants. Of course you can also taste and purchase a variety of products made of this regional typical vineyard peach.

13 June 2020: Mark this date if you are a wine enthusiast. Get a taste of local noble wines (Riesling) and quality sparkling wines at the Mosel Wine Week. There will also be musical entertainment from Dixiland to German folk music and modern pop songs.

11 July 2020: Vendors from many different European countries will sell specialties from their home countries at the Fiesta Europe. Aside from culinary specialties you can also purchase several non food items such as leather products, gems, soaps and much more.

This special family friendly event at Cochem Castle is not to be missed!Dress your kids up in medieval attire or as ghosts or robbers as we take an exclusive tour through the Cochem Castle! This fun, medieval costumed event will be entertaining for the whole family! Our experience begins with some free time in the beautiful town of Cochem before hiking from the village to the castle overlooking the Mosel River. We will tour rooms which aren’t usually featured on the normal guided tours and are especially interesting for children. We will take a sneak peek into the Castle Tower, Parapet, Torture Chamber, and much more!You and your costumed little knights, damsels, ghosts, and robbers will be exploring exciting corners of the castle that nobody else gets to see – where the “castle ghosts” roam and get lost! At the end of the castle tour, we will take a seat at the knight’s table in the restaurant or in the former chapel and enjoy eating a fun “medieval robber’s meal” with only our fingers followed by a small, tasty dessert.

No brave soul has to be afraid of the ghosts. They are really shy and hide in dark corners. You will explore forgotten corners of the castle that nobody else gets to see. Medieval life will be relived in these historic walls and our little ghost hunters will get a visual explanation of medieval defenses. At the end of the tour the group takes a seat at the knight's table in our restaurant or in the former chapel and strengthen themselves with a well deserved robber's meal which is followed by a small dessert.

After a castle tour you will get to enjoy a festive medieval dinner in the Knight's Dining Hall. This tasty regional meal features rye bread with schmatz spread, beef soup, a turkey leg, flat bread, cheese, nuts and grapes. Wine will be served in a souvenir wine mug. Throughout the meal you will be entertained with bawdy stories about medieval table manners and enjoy live entertainment.